In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, the Korea Foundation invited 28 Japanese university students to Korea from September 4 through 13, 2018 as part of the Korea-Japan Youth Exchange Program.

The Japanese delegation was led by Ikeda Yoichi, Senior Regional Coordinator of the Northeast Asia Division and Director of Japan-ROK National Exchange Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. He has served as Minister for Economic Affairs and consul at the Embassy of Japan in Seoul, and is a representative Japanese well versed in Korean affairs. (영문직함명 확인요망) The delegation was composed of Japanese university students keenly interested in Korean language and culture.

This year’s program dealt with the 20th anniversary of the “Joint Declaration: A New Partnership of the Republic of Korea and Japan Towards the 21st Century” announced in 1998 by President Kim Dae-jung and Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi. Under the program, the Japanese students attended a briefing on the two countries’ relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and participated in cultural activities, enhancing their understanding of Korea. They also went to Mokpo in Southern Korea to enjoy local food and visit the Kim Dae-jung Nobel Peace Prize Memorial, paying tribute to his life.

In addition, the delegation met with their Korean counterparts. The Korean university students plan to visit Japan in mid-September as part of the Korea-Japan Youth Exchange Program. Under the program, the two countries’ students are scheduled to meet with each other both in Seoul and Tokyo, laying the groundwork for productive Korea-Japan relations through diverse exchange activities.